The Irish standard., 1887-10-01

never stop till he has 'em broke horse
and fut. An 'tis poor Connor'd be sor
rY to hear misfortune fell on that fam.
lily; an good right he'd have to be sorry
Well, God is good! An whatever hap
pens Connor Shea's childer, I'll never
ak for charity at any mans doore.'
She knelt down to pray; but starting
up suddenly with frightened look
she made the sign of the cross on hel
forehead and on her breast, and blew
out the rush-light. She heard step
approaching the house. The latch was
raised, but the door did not open, as it
was fastened with the back-stick.
Sally said a voice outside, you're
not in bed. L saw the light
CHAPTER XVII.
Christmas was not what it used to be
at Ballycorrig. The little family circle
in the parlor was silent, not to say
gloomy; and the cloud which hung over
it appeared to cast shadow on the
larger circle in the kitchen. Even Mrs.
Purcell's great rice pudding failed for
once to call up CHEEKY looks in the faces
of the workmen and servants, though
every saucer was filled to the brim with
whiskey punch, hot, strong, and
sweet
How sorry l am said Kate Purcell
that Fanny could not come as she
promised
Indeed, then so am 1 sorry,' said her
mother, in her abrupt way. But
hope Brian will bring her with him
when he is coming home
They all felt that little Fanny's pres
ence would be like sunshine to them,
and even the mention of her name ap-
peared to produce Frightening effect;
SO much so that Mr., Purcell took cour-
age to talk about what was weighing so
heavily upon his heart.
what do you think I ought to do?'
ne asked, turning to Brian.
If must speak my mind, the latter
replied, my opinion is, that to pay the
rent he has demanded would leave you
a beggar in few years.
Times might mend,' said his father.
:Even so. Fifty per cent, additional
is more than the land would be worth
the best of times. And, besides, what's
to prevent him from giving the screw
another turn?'
If he is so bad as that, wouldn't he
serve me with notice to quit at once?'
L know the man. said Brian, and
believe you are not served with notice
to quit because he hopes to beggar you
first. And if you take my advice you
won't try to pay what he demands
But he'll turn us OUT said Mr.. Pur-
cell.
Let him. Better be put out now
than in a year or two, when you'd be
left not worth shllling.'
4 lost more in improving the place
than would purchase the fee-simple
of st.
so much the worse. There's no use
throwing good money after bad. So
tell him plainly you'll give up the farm
if he wants more for it than you paid
Quill
''Tis too bad said Mr.. Purcell, that
a man can be robbed in this way. Such
a thing couldn't happen in any other
country under the sun but this. You
talk about freeing ireland, but why
don't you do someGhing?'
This rebe]lious sally made Brian
smile. He knew that his fatlier-like
many of his class-was wont to extol to
the skies the protection to life and
prope; ty' which was to be found no
where in such perfection as in Ireland,
and to talk contemptuously of malcon-
tents of the past and present. except
ing onlv O'Connell, who was for peace
Brian, how ever, did not think fit. under
the circumstances, to remind his father
of this; so he merely said:-
'Tis hard enough, sir. But many
things of the same kind have occurred
under our eyes, we need not feel sur
prised, at all events
There was never so bad case as
this,' said his father.
Think of the Clonbuee tenants, sir.
'But they were nearly all poor peo-
ple' MIR. Purcell observed.
Brian looked grave, but said nothing.
If we can get the money! MIR. Pur-
cell continued, well ce all right
This was an allusion to a sum Of
which he had lent to u gentle
man in the neighborhood many years
before, and about which Brian intend.
ed going to Dublin.
Don't you think, SIR Brian asked,
we could all live comfortably at Cool
bawn?'
Don't talk to me about Coolbawn,'
replied his father impatiently. Il tell
you nothing was troubling me so much
as the thought that you would not live
here after me. 1 intended leaving it
in my will that you should live here,